Miami's art deco scene

As I trotted down Ocean Drive, my nose tilted up at the pastel Art Deco buildings, each one like a seashell painted in pinks, blues, and yellows. I learned that in the 1930s and ’40s, this neighborhood bloomed with these sleek, geometric designs, making Miami Beach world-famous for its style. With palm trees swaying and neon lights glowing, I felt like I had stepped into a living postcard from the past.  Let's go!

But not everything stayed bright—by the 1970s, many of the buildings had fallen into disrepair, and the once-glamorous district nearly faded away. When the TV show Miami Vice splashed its neon lights and cool style across the world, it helped draw new attention to South Beach, fueling the district’s comeback.  

 Thanks to passionate preservationists and artists, South Beach was revived in the 1980s, shining again as the vibrant Art Deco capital I get to explore today.

The Majestic in South Beach stands proudly along Ocean Drive, its pastel Art Deco façade and classic curves capturing the timeless glamour of Miami’s golden era.  It was way to hot to eat outside but how cool would that be? 

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Art Deco style is known for its bold geometric lines, pastel colors, and sleek curves that create a playful yet elegant look.

The Barbizon Hotel in Miami Beach is a classic Art Deco landmark built in 1937, known for its curved façade, porthole windows, and pastel colors that reflect the elegance of South Beach’s historic district.  The roommates camera is not good enough to catch the portholes but trust me they are there. 

With my tail swishing in excitement, I stopped in front of the Congress Hotel on Ocean Drive, its pastel colors glowing in the sun. At night, the neon lights and bold shapes make it sparkle even brighter, and I couldn’t help but feel like this Art Deco treasure was welcoming me right into the heart of South Beach’s energy.

Simple bold lines, geometric designs and some classic Art Deco colors.

Trotting down Collins Avenue, I stopped to admire a pastel Art Deco building that first opened in 1939 as Hoffman’s Cafeteria, serving comforting meals to Miami Beach locals. Over time, it transformed into the legendary Warsaw Ballroom, where the nights were wild, dazzling, and unforgettable. Later, it became Jerry’s Famous Deli, then burst back to life as Señor Frog’s, filling the block with music, color, and laughter until its 2020 closure. Now, new owners turned this gem into a fancy clothing store.  

Even the lifeguard stations on Miami Beach follow the Art Deco style.

With my paws pattering a few blocks over, I came upon the Essex House, its elegant Art Deco curves and neon sign glowing like a beacon from 1938. Designed by architect Henry Hohauser, it once welcomed glamorous travelers looking for style and sunshine in Miami Beach’s golden age. I could almost hear the jazz drifting from its lobby bar, where stories of the city’s past still linger in the walls. Standing there, I felt like the Essex House wasn’t just a hotel—it was a time capsule of South Beach’s Art Deco soul.

According to the internet this is one of the more affordable lodgings in South Beach offering rooms between $150 and $200 a night.  

Next, I wandered over to the iconic Breakwater Hotel, its bold symmetry and sweeping curves painted in soft pastels that made it stand out like a seashell amidst Ocean Drive’s Art Deco parade. Designed by Anton Skislewicz in 1939, this nautical-styled beauty.  Notice the glass-block windows, neon blue and yellow sign, and chrome accents—still glows with ‘30s grandeur long into the evening.

 I peeked at the nightly rates and my whiskers quivered in delight: rooms start at around $72 for a superior stay, while queen and standard rooms hover between $90 and $122 a night—not too bad for Miami Beach.

Did anyone ever mention not to travel to Miami in the summer, well it's darn hot and this fox is starting to melt.  I scampered  along Ocean Drive one last time, my paws clicking against the old sidewalks beneath pastel towers and neon lights. From the Essex House to the Breakwater, each stop told a story—of 1930s glamour, wild nights, near decline, and dazzling rebirth. With every curve, color, and shining sign, South Beach’s Art Deco district felt like a living museum wrapped in tropical breezes. 

With my whiskers twitching and heart full of wonder, I was about ready to head back home but I saw one more attraction I needed to check out.  Yep, the Art Deco inspired swing. 

 Miami certainly was a town designed for this Little Fox.